lake conroe Fishing Report 2025

The first annual Ocean Tackle Research trip aboard Polaris Supreme returned with skipper Tom Rothery and chartermaster Lon Mikkelsen November 19. The ten-day trip had 20 anglers. "We caught a lot of variety and had good fishing," said Mikkelsen, from Hood River, OR. "We also caught a lot of 40-pound Humboldt squid. The best fishing was on kelp paddies in the warmer water. "We're testing some new OTR jigs," he continued, "and they got bit." Rothery weighed the contenders on the Fisherman's landing certified scales. Clint Campbell of Bozeman, MT won first place for a 65.95-pound wahoo he caught ona silver and pink Raider jig. He said he used 40-pound P-Line, a Daiwa Saltist 30 reel and a Seeker Black Steel 6470 rod. Jon Collins of Menifee won second place for a 52.6-pound skin that bit a pink Catchy Tackle bomb. Collins brought his son into the photo to show off a big dorado. Randy Walker of Huntington Beach was third, for a 48-pound wahoo that snapped up a gold Raider.

Many of you know Captain Ray Montera who has been involved in sportfishing most of his life. In March, his 32 year old Chris son was severely injured in a C4 blast in Afghanistan. We are holding a fundraiser on October 8th at the Bali Hai on Shelter Island. He is one of our own and we are rallying to support him.

As an Army soldier, Chris Montera was often taken aback when people would thank him for doing the job he loved. On a fateful day in March, he came to face the sacrifice. He was on a dismounted mission and was hit with explosion of C4, which literally blasted and propelled him into a grape field. He suffered major issues with blast lung and severe burns over much of his body. For 9 days he was on ECMO (lung bypass) until he was stable enough to be transported to BAMC in San Antonio for the treatment of his shrapnel wounds and third degree burns. On April 2 a fungal infection set into the wounds on his lower extremities and Chris underwent bilateral AK amputation of his legs. He was further diagnosed with an incomplete spinal cord injury in the thoracic area of the spine at VA Polytrauma Center in Palo Alto.

Through all of this, Chris remains focused and committed to rehabilitation. It is estimated that he will remain in Palo Alto for 3-6 months while he works to regain his upper body strength, which will be necessary for the next stages of rehab in the C5 program at Balboa Naval Hospital in San Diego where he will be fitted with prosthetic legs and with determination will learn to walk again. There is no doubt in our minds that Chris will recover to live an independent life. The goal of this fundraiser is to be able to assist Chris with expenses he will no doubt encounter on his journey to independence.

The event will be held at the Bali Hai Restaurant on Shelter Island On October 8th from 6:00-10:00 pm. There will be food stations serving food from many San Diego restaurants along with a no host bar. A raffle, live, and silent auction will take place during the event along with live entertainment by Mango Bay and World Famous Jim Gibson. The outpouring of support of raffle and auction donations from the sportfishing community, tackle, fishing supply manufacturers, and local businesses has been phenomenal. The evening will be great fun for all and will serve to help a young man who put it all on the line.

There are several ways you can help:
First and most important is attend the event.

Tickets are $50 in advance or $450 for a block of 10

Advance ticket purchases will include 3 raffle tickets and assorted swag

Cannot attend but would like to help, make a cash donation in any amount.

Donate an item for the raffle or auction. Anything from fishing items, art, gift certificates, clothing...anything is greatly appreciated.


We look forward to having you at the event. The sport fishing community has come together to take care of a wounded warrior of their own, and it promises to be a fun filled evening for all.

To purchase tickets for Island Nights at the Bali Hai, please visit our website at http://christophermonterasupport.com/island-nights-at-the-bali-hai

To donate items for our raffle/auction please visit our website and complete the donor form http://christophermonterasupport.com/sponsors-anddonors-supporters/donor-form

8 Bluefin and 3 Bonito today for our group. The big one weighed in at 215 pounds gill and gutted (probably 240lbs) The fish was caught on a flatfall and 100 pound test.

We had an awesome 1.5 trip on the Apollo out of Fisherman's Landing. We left Friday night at 7 pm and headed to Punta Colnett. Weather was very nice, calm and glassy. We started fishing for Yellowtail in the early morning but no biter. We preceded fishing for Rockfish. We drifted every hot spots that Captain JJ knew and they were all very productive. We came up with lots of good quality Vermilion Reds, Lingcod and Bocaccio Rockfish. At about 3 in the afternoon, Yellowtail breezers came through and all six of us got hooked with our rockcod gangnion hooks. We ended with two 25 lbs Yellows. Next time I'll be ready. We fished until almost dark and we bagged 125 Vermillion Reds, 98 Rock cod, 25 Lingcod and 2 Yellowtail for 25 guys. Captain JJ runs a top notch operation together with Jessica, Joe, Travis and Chef Nick. They were all very professional and helpful at all times. Chef Nick serves all variety of gourmet food on the boat. Apollo will be still running trips in Fisherman's Landing until end of March and will move to Santa Barbara on April. Don't miss our overnight charter trip on Sunday, April 3rd departing Saturday at 10 pm.

TWO SPOTS AVAILABLE!!!APOLLO has two open spots for Friday 01/26 1.5 Colonett trip January 26th. Get 'em now before it's too late. They will sell FASSSTTT!!! We're now getting reservations for February too. Boat will be departing every Friday night. Cost of the trips is $225 including Mexican permit. Book now before they're gone. For reservations call Fisherman's Landing @ (619)221-8500

Captain Mike Pritchard called in this afternoon with an audio update from the Tribute out of Seaforth Sportfishing in San Diego, CA.  

We have a light load on a 2 day trip with 21 anglers. So far we have 30 Yellowtail & 54 Yellowfin Tuna (good grade 20 + pounds) on the boat.

We have some open party trips coming up.  Call Seaforth at (619 224-3383 to get in on the action!

Captain Jodie Morgan called in with a wrap up from their recent 2 day trip last night. We had 75 Bluefin Tuna (in the 30 to 40 pound class), 63 Yellowtail, and a Dorado. We have a 2.5 day trip departing Sunday night with open spots. The trip is $625 and includes your meals and permits. Call Fisherman's Landing at (619) 221-8500 to get in on the action.

Bluefin in our crosshairs for our upcoming 6 day. School size fish like this and a chance at trophies!